Dr. Rock: New Wave Nation returns with blasts from the past

The Ohio tribute band will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a Friday show full of 1980s hits at Sherlock's.

By Dave Richards / Contributing writer

New Wave Nation is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special show that it will present in just three cities — and Erie is one of them.

The tribute band to the glory days of MTV and all things 1980s is based out of Canton, Ohio, but quickly developed a fervent following in Erie through regular shows at Sherlock’s, plus occasional gigs at street parties and festivals. Now the band returns to Sherlock's this Friday ready to rock its anniversary show.

“Sherlock’s has always been special to us,” said guitarist, Ken Harding, an original member, along with singer Jay Secrest. “It was the second place we ever played as New Wave Nation. It was a Thursday night; there may have been 20 or 30 people there.

“It’s the only place we still play that’s still around. Every other place we played at in those early days is long gone. They closed shop or changed names, whatever the case may be."

Sherlock Holmes might be puzzled that a tribute band to the ’80s could thrive for twice as long as the decade itself. Not Harding.

“What’s made it last this long, in part, is that we’re constantly evolving,” he said. “Obviously, it’s all the 1980s, but the songs that we played 10 years ago, 15 years ago aren’t the same ones we’re doing today.

“Songs come and go, for whatever reason, as times change. As time goes on, certain songs stand out more than others. So, a song that went over really great in 1999 or 2000 or 2001 doesn’t necessarily have the same appeal to people who are coming out to see us now. Maybe it doesn’t get as much radio airplay. Whatever the case, it’s always evolving. And we like to keep it fresh for us, too.”

“That was a huge song for us in our set list. I would say from 2001 or 2002 it hung out to 2012 or so,” Harding said. “But then we started noticing that was the moment — you could gauge it by people’s reaction — they would go get a drink or go (to the bathroom).

“It happens.”

On the flip side, some ’80s hits are essential.

“Certain songs will always be in the setlist because the audience requires it. ‘Jesse’s Girl’ we have to play,” Harding said. “It’s kind of our staple. So what we’ve done for this (anniversary) show coming up, is we’ve built back stuff we haven’t played in a really long time, like in 10 or 15 years. And we added some things that paint a picture of what’s going on with us today, that we haven’t tried before.”

Back in: “99 Red Balloons,” for one, as well as Styx’s “Mr. Roboto,” which served as New Wave Nation’s traditional opener for years until they retired it. “Roboto” will rule again Friday.

The anniversary show includes a video “homage” to the band’s past, actual videos from MTV’s heyday and historical footage from that era. And though the band name suggests the show leans entirely on new wave, fans can expect to hear the decade’s biggest artists, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Blondie, Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, David Bowie and more.

New Wave Nation also includes bassist Randy Horn, a member since 2000, and drummer Scotty Magnum, who joined in 2007. They increasingly play to crowds that include not only long-time fans but younger ones, as well.

“There’s the younger generation whose parents brought them up on that music, so they know it by default,” Harding said. ”A weird thing that’s happened is the kids who’d come to the outdoor fests at 8, 10, or 11 — and would do ‘Mickey’ with the pom-poms with us — they’re now in their mid-20s and come and say, ‘Look at me! I’m all grown up, I still love it.’”

And so do a lot of local fans, too.

“Erie has always been so special to us. We’ve done block parties and different venues, but Sherlock’s has always been the home base,” Harding said. “When we’re there, we feel like we’re at home.”

HEAR IT

New Wave Nation will play a 20th-anniversary show on Friday, 10 p.m., at Sherlock’s, 508 State St. Admission is $5. For more on the band, visit www.newwavenation.com.